just a few suggestions for people just getting their cdl's

i've gained a lot of knowledge being here this short time and wanted to share a few with new guys, i've been driving for about 3 years with my B license (will be upgrading to an A this winter). first and foremost, i would HIGHLY recommend going to an independent truck school. finance the classes if you have to, you learn so much at these places, they have guys that were in the trucking for a long time, and hold no bias to any company and will tell you which ones to stay clear of. and generally they can help you find a job right out of school but sometimes you gotta do it on your own (i did) and hopefully my post will help you just coming out of school find a job.

the problem everyone has; how can i get experience if no one will hire me? i was there, it sucks, its like looking into a social club and you have to know someone to join, and everyone's got their back to you. the thing with new drivers if they tend to do very stupid things. the company i'm at now hired a new guy just out of truck school, so far in his first month he's hit a bridge (not slammed into it, he got out, knew it'd be close, went for it anyway instead of finding a new route) and he's let the back swing of his truck (we only have class B trucks) hit a pepsi truck in a parking lot.

and this type of stuff happens and it happens a lot with new drivers. when i was in truck school i smashed a tree limb. people dont want to take chances because if you smash things up and havent made the company money yet, you're just costing them money. my suggestions, find a job at a local place, the pay will be decent (around here you can expect around 15 dollars to start). construction yards right now are picking up, walk in and try and get a job in the yard, and work your way into a driver. trust me, they will not want you sitting in that yard for very long while you have a cdl license. gravel pits are also great places to check in especially in the spring and summer. any kind of supply company whether it be plumbing supply, electrical supply etc etc. again walk in and take any job they'll offer you. moving companies will usually hire new guys with cdl's but you gotta be willing to work, it sucks moving but at least its getting some experience driving. a lot of landscape companies have cdl trucks and are always looking for good hard workers in the spring summer and fall, and if they have cdl trucks, and you have a good work ethic you can expect to get hired. tree removal companies have CDL trucks a lot of the times as well. the point is, dont look directly at driving trucks. take a job with other things involved and THEN work your way into a job where you are strictly a driver. if the company has trucks, you will eventually be put in the cab and asked to drive, and its important. getting that first year experience is critical. after you have a year you can find a job a lot easier.

if all else fails start trying to find a job at non cdl truck places. you will be higher on the totem pole to get hired because you have a cdl, and at the very least you will be working. most of the other people walking in the door wont have a cdl so you'll be more desirable. the downside to this is the pay is usually a few dollars less then a cdl driver. but it'll be easier to find a job with at least some kind of driving experience. which sounds better? "i worked for such and such driving and had not one accident" or "Hey! i just got out of cdl school, wanna give me the keys to your 53' trailer!?!?" exactly. stay persistent, go fill out an application, find out who does the hiring, and get that person on the phone or walk in there in person and check in with them. you will find a job if you want it bad enough. good luck

 

thanks, i really hope this helps out guys new to driving. i remember very clearly how it felt being a new cdl graduate.

 

that firm handshake is something. i'm only 22, i am a hard working no bs guy and they see it. you cant fake it. i just about stopped going to highschool in 10th grade. and when i was 20, i bought a house. no cosigner, on my own. that speaks volumes im sure. but im not saying you have to go by a house when you're 20 to get a job. these lumber yards and gravel pit companies will hire you but you have to be willing to work. afraid to get your hands dirty and bust your balls all day? dont bother wasting your time. another place i forgot to mention are dairy companies. they'll usually hires guys right out of school if you're willing to do the work.

 

not a problem at all i'm glad i could give back a little. like i said i had some serious eye opening experiences in the short time that i've been posting here. if one person takes away from this thread and find themself a job after reading this thread i'll be happy. there is so much crap out there in the work industry it doesnt matter what field you're in. one thing i've learned is that good hard working trustworthy honest guys are always in demand no matter what the economy is doing. if you're willing to do grunt work while times are slow you'll get yourself a job and be first in line when they are looking for drivers. and when you land a good job, the kind of job where a boss like mine says "hows it goin out there? the route's treatin you good? whos giving you a problem? we'll give them a call and sort this out" you'll know the hard work has paid off

above any of this though you can follow my advice to a T but if you arent a self motivated person none of it will work out for you in the long run. good luck out there hobby

 

thanks for adding this. this is great advice to you new guys looking to go straight OTR.